Why didn't I include JT O'Sullivan? Because he didn't win last week. As soon as he doesn he'll get his just due on the site as well. I figured it is appropriate to accompany this poll with a little more in-depth look at these fine young gentlemen, including a consideration of each QB's overall upside. let's begin.
Matt Cassel - New England Patriots
above:using sign language, Cassel predicts a "V"ictory for this week's game against the Jets
Unlike the rest of his peers being looked at today, Cassel is the only player listed here not intended to be his team's starter. With the news coming out today the Brady ripped both his M and PCL, Matt Cassel looks to do to Tom Brady what Tom Brady did to Drew Bledsoe not too long ago; take over in emphatic fashion in the wake of your starting helmsman suffering a season ending injury. Like Brady, Cassel hardly played prior to his crowning as the top guy on the Pats. However, unlike Brady, Cassel has not started a single game since his senior year of high school. Nonetheless, this job really is his to lose this year. Despite what the Favre loving tools at Espin might telly you, the Pats still play in a doodoo division without Brady taking snaps. In all likelihood the Pats win ten games instead of the likely 13 or 14 they would have won with Thomas suited up. Call me an idealist, but I'm optimistic enough to believe that Cassel performs well enough to get traded away next year to a team in dire need of an accurate and intelligent QB (cough,VIKINGS,cough.) If he doesn't play well that he's really just a dummy, because I have a feeling I could put my sister Haley out there, with Belicheck calling the shots and Moss and Welker downfield, and the Pats would at worst go .500.
2008 Prediction: Pats win 10 games and division
Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons
he's on the line with Moe's Tavern, asking "is there a Seymour Butts available?"
I'll say this, out of all of these guys, the one who appears to have the easiest road to a winning future is Dirty Bird Matt Ryan. Not to take anything away from Matt Ryan, after all he did put up a cool 9/13 with 161 yards and a TD, but when his success as a Falcon will ultimately depend on the outcome of Michael Turner (10 yards a carry last week.) On any given year, the NFC South can be a brutal division or a doormat, and this year in particular it seems like it will probably land right in between. The Panthers seem to be on their way to a return to form and the Saints have arguably the most exciting offense in the league,if not definitely the NFC. And don't count the Bucs out, as they made the playoffs last year and remain well coached season after season, (er...sorta.) But the Falcons have something this year that they have not had in a little while; a young and talented group of potentially long-term explosive players. This year I wouldn't bet the farm on the old Vick gang, but by 2013, these guys could really be on their way to another Super Bowl appearance. A lot of that will depend on how Ryan and Turner progress as pros.
Prediction: 7-9, with plenty of signs promise in those seven Ws.
Joe Flacco:
The Flacco family at home, enjoying an afternoon watching "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"
funny story; I went to Peddie with Joe Flacco's little brother Mike. Like myself, Mike Flacco was a PG. Unlike myself, Mike could throw a football almost the entire length of the field. He was a better athlete than Scott Larue and Mike Evans put together. Now really that has little to do with Joe Flacco, other than the fact that they come from the same bloodline and that obviously I want him to win. Luckily it appears he'll be doing plenty of just that while residing in the big 410. There's an energy on the Ravens right now that seems genuine, and I would say that a great deal of it has to do with the phenomenal game Flacco put up last week against the division rival Bengals. Things like this happen every few years in the NFL, with a new coach and new QB kind of just riding the wave together, with the case of Mike Holmgren and Brett Favre being a perfect example. While it is too early compare the duo of Flacco and Jon Harbaugh just yet to the Packers team of the 90s, I think it is safe to say that the Ravens are only going to go up. I'll admit it it too; seeing something like this happening only 30 miles from my home makes it tough not to want to root for these guys. A week ago I would have told you that both wild cards were coming out of the AFC South this year, but since then I have digressed...
Prediction: Ravens go 10-6, clinch an AFC wild card (assuming Steelers win the division)
Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
wouldn't it be ironic if at the same time he took this picture, he was listening to John Lennon? think about that one for a minute....
in the poll to the right, I voted for Aaron Rodgers. Of the four choices, Rodgers seems like the one who will have the smoothest learning curve and he seems to be smart enough to have eventually thrived on any team. Say what you want about Brett Favre, but Aaron Rodgers probably did learn a few things from that old narcissistic fun-loving country boy gunslinger at some point a long the way. But you can't teach accuracy. Rodgers is built to last in the NFL and he's on a tough team with a tough coach. I think it is to Aaron's credit that I don't have much to say about him, because that to me means that's how close he is to being a top tier QB in this league.
Prediction: Pack goes 11-5, win the division
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